Israel's Ambassador Reuven Azar Discusses Ceasefire with Lebanon

Reuven Azar, Israel's Ambassador to India, shared insights on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. He explained that 14 months after Hezbollah's aggression on Israel's border, Israel has neutralized the Hezbollah threat. Azar stated, "Israel has taken out the entire Hezbollah leadership and military infrastructure prepared for attacks." He mentioned that Israel destroyed missile and drone factories and killed thousands of Hezbollah terrorists, leading to Hezbollah agreeing to a ceasefire.

Azar emphasized the importance of the ceasefire, noting it removes Hezbollah from the multi-front attack against Israel. He discussed the ceasefire terms, highlighting the implementation of Resolution 1701 and an international mechanism to monitor Hezbollah's movements. Israel retains the right to defend itself if Hezbollah breaches the conditions.

The ceasefire is initially set for 60 days, with hopes for extension. Lebanon has committed to deploying its army in the south, with UNIFIL's support, to prevent Hezbollah's entry. Azar warned that failure to do so endangers the ceasefire.

Addressing Iran's role, Azar accused Iran of initiating the attack and stated that Israel exposed Iran by targeting its missile defense and nuclear elements. He noted that this exposure led to the ceasefire agreement.

The conflict began in October last year when Hezbollah attacked Israeli territory, escalating into a major offensive by Israel. A ceasefire was negotiated by the US and France, aiming to restore calm and safety for residents on both sides of the Blue Line.